Freeways that aren't really a freeway

[tolbs17]

This looks risky as hell. I wish there was a right turn lane.

How is that any riskier than the dozen business entrances just before there?

Because of the solid white line.

[kphoger]

This looks risky as hell. I wish there was a right turn lane.

How is that any riskier than the dozen business entrances just before there?

Because of the solid white line.

No different.

[tolbs17]

This looks risky as hell. I wish there was a right turn lane.

How is that any riskier than the dozen business entrances just before there?

Because of the solid white line.

No different.

Would  it be safer if they just added frontage roads?

[kphoger]

Depends.  Are people having car crashes because of it the way it is?  If not, then no.

[tolbs17]

Depends.  Are people having car crashes because of it the way it is?  If not, then no.

Here's an example.

[kphoger]

Depends.  Are people having car crashes because of it the way it is?  If not, then no.

Here's an example.

Of what?  A car crash?

[tolbs17]

Depends.  Are people having car crashes because of it the way it is?  If not, then no.

Here's an example.

Of what?  A car crash?

No. Through lanes and frontage roads.

[KCRoadFan]

When I saw the thread title, I thought about the US 50 freeway in Maryland east of DC, along which (especially in the Annapolis area) many of the "exits"  are nothing more than glorified at-grade intersections. (Some of them even have turn arrows marked on the pavement - and they still have exit number signs!)

[tolbs17]

When I saw the thread title, I thought about the US 50 freeway in Maryland east of DC, along which (especially in the Annapolis area) many of the "exits"  are nothing more than glorified at-grade intersections. (Some of them even have turn arrows marked on the pavement - and they still have exit number signs!)

Interesting to see. We only have exit numbers on freeways. Should we start signing non-freeways to have exit numbers like this one? Btw, that interchange needs to be completely rebuilt.

[kphoger]

Depends.  Are people having car crashes because of it the way it is?  If not, then no.

Here's an example.

Of what?  A car crash?

No. Through lanes and frontage roads.

So it had nothing to do with my statement that you quoted.

What I said is that frontage roads aren't safer if the existing road isn't crash-prone to begin with.

[tolbs17]

Depends.  Are people having car crashes because of it the way it is?  If not, then no.

Here's an example.

Of what?  A car crash?

No. Through lanes and frontage roads.

So it had nothing to do with my statement that you quoted.

What I said is that frontage roads aren't safer if the existing road isn't crash-prone to begin with.

So does that mean frontage roads will make the arterial worse?

[kphoger]

Frontage roads don't necessarily make a road worse or better.  It depends.
A SPUI doesn't necessarily make an interchange worse or better.  It depends.
A roundabout doesn't necessarily make an intersection worse of better.  It depends.
___ (fill in the blank) doesn't necessarily make ___ (fill in the blank) worse or better.  It depends.

[dvferyance]

Many freeways in Mexico have at grade intersections.

[kphoger]

Many freeways highways in Mexico have at grade intersections.

By definition, they are not freeways.

Note that there are true freeways in Mexico, however.  All the ones I've been on are toll roads.

Actually, non-freeway toll roads in Mexico are rare, for what should be obvious reasons.

[bcroadguy]

When I saw the thread title, I thought about the US 50 freeway in Maryland east of DC, along which (especially in the Annapolis area) many of the “exits” are nothing more than glorified at-grade intersections. (Some of them even have turn arrows marked on the pavement - and they still have exit number signs!)

BC has numbered exits that are signalized intersections on Highway 19.

All of them were supposed to be interchanges, but they ran out of money

[Henry]

The quintessential "non-freeway" is one in name only, New York's Rockaway Freeway. Of course, the real freeways in the city are called expressways, and signed as such. Chicago used to be the same way too, until the Calumet Expressway was renamed the Bishop Ford Freeway.

[cpzilliacus]

When I saw the thread title, I thought about the US 50 freeway in Maryland east of DC, along which (especially in the Annapolis area) many of the "exits"  are nothing more than glorified at-grade intersections. (Some of them even have turn arrows marked on the pavement - and they still have exit number signs!)

It's full Interstate standard ("secret" I-595) as far east as MD-70 (Rowe Boulevard) in Annapolis.

Beyond that, in Arnold; Cape St. Claire, Whitehall and Skidmore (but not Annapolis) - and on the Queen Anne's County section of U.S. 50/U.S. 301 from the WPL Bridge landing to Queenstown "split" there are several right on/right off "interchanges" that would presumably not be allowed on a "real" Interstate.

[Hobart]

If it counts for anything, the Bismarck Expressway is only grade separated for two miles before it downgrades to a four lane surface street while keeping the "expressway" monkier. I was thinking they wanted it to be a bypass, but the city grew south.